Parish of the Assumption Area Code: 057 3rd Sunday of Lent ~ 23rd March 2014 Fr. Joseph Gallaghar P.P MASS TIMES Weekend Masses Church of the Assumption: Saturday (Vigil) 6.30pm Sunday 8.30am, 10.00am, 11.30am & 1.00pm St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: Sunday 11.30am Holy Days Church of the Assumption: Vigil 6.30pm; 7.45am, 10.00am, 1.10pm, 6.30pm. St Colmcille’s Church Durrow: 8.00pm Weekday Masses Monday-Friday 7.45am & 10.00am Saturday 10.00am First Friday 7.45am & 10.00am. CONFESSIONS Saturday: 12 noon-1.00pm, 3.00-4.00pm GET IN TOUCH St Mary’s Parish Centre, Benburb St, Tullamore Phone: 0579321587 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.tullamoreparish.ie Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm; 1.30-5pm to book weddings, baptisms, certs, etc; Reception service 5-9pm. Priest available for emergencies 24 hours daily. Parish Shop selling a selection of religious items. Teas after 10am Mass Mon, Wed & Fri. Meeting Rooms available: Contact Administrator for details of rates, availability etc. Parish Support Services: Bereavement Counselling, etc. For appointment,ph 0579326604, Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1.00pm; Wednesday & Thursday 6.00-8.00pm. JESUS, THE SOURCE OF LIVING WATER In today’s readings there are references to thirst, to God’s faithfulness and belief in God. The Jewish people are “tormented by thirst” in the desert. They begin to doubt the Lord’s faithfulness. Only when Moses prays and God works a marvel – water flows from the rock – is their faith restored. They know then that the Lord is with them, in their midst, an enduring and life-sustaining presence. Jesus himself is tired and thirsty when he sits down by the well at Sychar, where he meets the Samaritan woman of ill-repute. She engages with Jesus in a rather playful way about water, and then because of the hidden things he reveals about her, her faith in him gradually develops. The Jews in the desert, in spite of the great wonders God had worked for them already, were doubters. They were grumpy and complaining. The Samaritan woman was a sinful person, not well-regarded by the Jews. But, their faith became a personal exchange with God. In the case of the Samaritan woman, and later her townspeople, Jesus is recognized for who he is – the Saviour of the world. Jesus hungers and thirst for us. Like the Samaritan woman, we also must thirst for Him. He is the source of the living water, the love he has for us. As St Paul says, “the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit”. Our faith in Jesus frees us to look forward to God’s glory. Like the Samaritan people of Sychar, we know that Jesus really is the Saviour of the world. PARKING IN CHURCH GROUNDS Once again we remind you that parking in the Church grounds is only for people with special needs attending Church ceremonies. You are also reminded that the barrier at the gate closes automatically at 11.30am. There is ample parking in Parish Car Park across the road, beside the Parochial House. PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES The Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes is 11th-16th June, with Spiritual Director Fr Shane Crombie and musical ministry by Shalom Folk Choir. For details and booking ph 0876615733/0863192399/ 0876799177/0860547266. CALLING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE! The fifth National Youth Conference will be held in St Mary’s Youth & Community Centre on Saturday 12th April. All are welcome. Bands: “RuaileBuaile” and “Without Walls” (Dublin). ENVELOPE BOXES If you collected a box of parish envelopes last weekend and did not leave your name and address on the list, please write your name and address on your first envelope donation. Thank you. LENT – PREPARING FOR EASTER For the rest of Lent, weekday Masses will be at 7.30am, 10.00am & 7.30pm. There will also be an extra Mass in Durrow on Mondays at 9.30am. Friday is Family Fast Day. There will be Exposition all day in the Parish Church. There will also be a “Prayer Round the Cross” (Taize Style) from 1.00-2.00pm. “Today we can think of the millions of women and girls who make the hazardous journey to wells every day in search of water. According to the UN 1.1 billion people are ‘water insecure’. Trócaire is working in Malawi with their local partners to provide water security for many communities. By 2020 it is estimated that water available for agriculture in the region will drop by 50%. We all have a part to play in this with climate change one of the biggest contributors to water shortage. This is a problem that requires more than charity giving to resolve. We need to radically change how we use the resources given to us; we need to be more conscious of how much we use; how we recycle; how we can walk or cycle more instead of driving. The woman in today’s Gospel experiences conversion at the well; we too are in need of conversion so that we live more in solidarity with those who are suffering and thirsting for justice.” - Jane Mellett, IntercomMarch 2014 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM The next available Baptism dates are on: Sun 4th May & Sat 17May in Tullamore & Sun 11th May in Durrow. The pre-baptism meeting for these is on Wednesday 16thApril. To book in for the meeting and baptisms, contact the Parish Secretary, at the Parish Office, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE It is advisable to give six months’ notice of your intention to marry to both the Church and the Registrar. To book the Church for weddings, contact the Parish Secretary, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.00pm. All couples getting married must attend a pre-marriage course. Contact ACCORD, 9341831 or www.accord.ie. ACCORD alsoavailable for marriage and relationship counselling. NB: NOTICESFOR THE BULLETIN MUST BE IN THE PARISH CENTRE BY 9.30AM WEDNESDAY Only notices from parish groups, non-profit making organisations& clubs included. MASS INTENTIONS Mon 24: 10.00 Paddy & Alice Hayden & Family 7.30 John Burke, 17 Clontarf Rd Tues 25: 10.00 Dolan Family, Meelaghans 7.30 Mary Anne, Joe & Mary Farrelly & Family Wed 26: 10.00 John McInerney, 1st Ann 7.30 Thomas & Julie Touhey Thurs 27: 7.30 Ellen Moore 10.00 Kathleen Cronly, 62 O’Molloy St 7.30 Mary & Eddie O’Dea Fri 28: 10.00 Elizabeth & Bernard Cutler, Pearse Park 7.30 Mossie Mahon & parents Tom & Mary Sat29: 10.00 Anne Doyle 6.30 Margaret Cleary, 1st Ann Sun30: 8.30 Tom Conway, Ballydaly 10.00 John Weir, Market Sq 11.30 SeanCronly, 1st Ann 1.00 Dympna Brennan, Mon Mem You are reminded that 6.30pm Vigil, 11.30am & 1.00pm Masses are for Months Memories and 1st Anniversaries only. Shared Masses: The next available Shared Masses are on Sunday 6th Apr, 11.30am in Durrow; Saturday 3rd & Saturday 17th May, 10.00am in Tullamore. When booking intentions into these Masses please make sure you haven’t included your loved ones already.These Masses are for the anniversary of death only. BAPTISMS Welcome to God’s family Niall James Byrne, Luke O’Brien, Lola May Egan, David Anthony Smyth & Hannah Rose Kiernan who were baptised recently. PARISH COLLECTIONS Tullamore €4022; Durrow €188; Envelopes €3490 St Patrick’s Day Tullamore €2808; Durrow €185 Thank you for your continued support. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FIONA PENDER, OUR PARISHIONER WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 22ND AUGUST, 1996. COMMUNITY NOTICES PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:Jesus continues to wait for us in this sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Him in adoration during Lent. Ph 9321232. ACCORD TULLAMORE looking for suitable person to train as counsellor. For details & application form go to www.accord.ie ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF IRELAND FASHION SHOW Thurs 10 Apr, 8.30pm, Bridge House. Tickets €10, available from 0876211411/0876211413/0861038460 and Menary’s. KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBANUS RETREAT Sat 29, 9.30am-1.00pm, Parish Centre. All men from the parish welcome. FORÓIGE’S BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER PROGRAMME: Volunteers wanted for youth mentoring programme. Ph Louise 0868596879 or see www.foroige/bbbs for more details. MIDLANDS LIVING LINKS: Self-help support group for family & friends bereaved by suicide. Meeting Thurs 27, 11am-1pm, Tullamore Library. Refreshments served. Ph Bernie 0867600641. ILLUSTRATED LECTURE ‘Uncovering Pre-Famine Offaly Using the Morpeth Roll, by Dr Ciaran Reilly, Mon 24, 8pm, Offaly History Centre. All welcome. BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB: Meeting Wed 26, 8pm, Bridge House. Talk by physiotherapist - ‘Body Aware, Body Smart’. Non members welcome. €10. BALLYCOMMON TELEWORK & TRAINING CENTRE now enrolling for new courses. More details from Susan/Liz 9353177/935441. RAHUGH NS: Now enrolling for September -ph Annette (Principal) 044 9223584 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it READY: Dinner & dance, Sun 23, 7.30pm, Central Hotel. All welcome. To book ph 9341235. SEXUAL ABUSE & RAPE CRISIS CENTRE: Helpline 1800323232. MIDLAND LIVING LINKS- ph0861600641. DOCHAS: Offaly Cancer Support Group Drop-In Centre, Offaly St, 9328268. BINGO in aid of Temple St Hospital, Wed, 8.30pm, Charleville Centre, Church Ave (oppCharleville NS). OFFALY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICE: Helpline 9351886 for information or to make an appointment. |